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Newport-Mesa Unified School District Announces New Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer

Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) is pleased to announce the selection of Mr. Tim Holcomb as the Assistant Superintendent, Chief Operating Officer and Mr. Jeff Trader as Chief Financial Officer.

Mr. Tim Holcomb, Chief Operating Officer

Mr. Holcomb has more than 30 years of experience and is known for leading organizations through large financial and operational management improvement programs while maintaining client and staff satisfaction. Having served as the Interim Chief Operating Officer for NMUSD since December 2016, Mr. Holcomb has been the principal advisor to the Board of Education and the superintendent in matters related to non-instructional areas of the district. The Business Services Division, which he will continue to oversee, includes non-instructional business operations such as facilities, maintenance and operations, technology, transportation and fiscal services.

Prior to joining NMUSD, Mr. Holcomb has served as a senior executive for large and small private company consultancies and public agencies where he has advised numerous California school Districts. He also has previously served as an interim deputy superintendent for Capistrano Unified School District and served as deputy superintendent for Anaheim Union High School District for seven years. At Anaheim Union, he led the development and implementation of best business practices in relation to the districts operational and financial management that successfully recovered approximately $80 million in state school facilities funding that had previously been denied.

Mr. Jeff Trader, Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Jeff Trader has been with NMUSD for 19 years and has served as manager, director, and administrative director responsible for managing the district’s financial operations. In his role as chief financial officer, Mr. Trader will have greater oversight of the district’s financial operations which includes accounting, budgeting, payroll, purchasing, property and liability, and attendance accounting.

Mr. Trader has a strong understanding of the complexities and uncommon challenges that NMUSD faces as a community funded (basic aid) district. He closely follows the local and state labor housing markets, which directly affect community funded districts.

Some of Mr. Trader’s success at NMUSD includes reduction of cash receipt processing time by 20 percent, decreased banking fees by ten percent, elimination of a five year archival backlog, and streamlined independent vendor contractor procedures to name a few.

Mr. Trader has been lauded for clearly and effectively communicating the district’s financial vision and ensuring that the district remains financially stable. He represents the district as president of the Southern Orange County Property/Liability Joint Powers Authority and oversight board member for the Orange County and Costa Mesa Redevelopment Successor Agencies and stays up to date on all aspects of school financial operations.